Could this $10,000 scooter from Ujet be the mobility solution of the future?

Between highway traffic and underground subway delays, it seems that all of our innovation in the transportation industry has only served to slow us down. But now, there may finally be a way to get out of gridlock. It’s not a car, a plane, or a form of public transportation, but rather something that you may have once deemed suitable only for the very young or very old. Here to prove that scooters are back in vogue (maybe for good) is Ujet, which unveiled its first product, the Ujet electric scooter, at CES 2018.

Combining connectivity with high-performance materials found most often in the aerospace sector, this energy-efficient scooter is not only good for you but good for the planet, too.

“With more of us than ever living in cities, it’s never been more important to make urban environments a place in which people enjoy to live,” said Hugues Despres, CEO, Ujet International. “As a result, Ujet is focused on providing urbanites with great products that help them get around their city with style and ease.”

The smart battery of the Ujet electric scooter comes in two sizes, with ranges of up to 43 miles and 93 miles. All you need to charge either one of these power packs is a standard power socket, and despite their considerable power, they are both about the size of a carry-on suitcase — they’re removable, portable, and rollable, which means you can take them wherever you go. Plus, you won’t have to worry about looking around for a charging station.

The Ujet scooter can be controlled remotely via an iOS or Android app. Whether you need to unlock the scooter, receive directions to where you parked it, or disable it in case of theft, the companion Ujet app can take care of things. Moreover, the app gives users the opportunity to monitor scooter performance including battery level, mileage, saved carbon dioxide emissions, as well as access customer support at a nearby service shop or communicate with a support team member.

To remain as lightweight as possible, the Ujet comes fitted with “the world’s first nano-augmented tire,” constructed with applied TUBALL that contains single-wall carbon nanotubes. This material claims to increase wet and dry grip by a factor of two, helping to increase traction. And thanks to the alloy and carbon composite materials that comprise the Ujet frame, the entire scooter weighs less than 100 pounds.

Be warned, though, this scooter is no plaything — either in function or in price. The Ujet will set you back either $8,900 or $9,900, depending on the selected battery. Ujet will launch first in Europe before coming to the U.S. and Asia in the second half of 2018.

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Tiny new Bluetooth chip is a big revolution for high-tech headphones

Everyone knows about Bluetooth technology; it’s been around for quite some time, and we call upon it to do a great deal of things, from connecting our phone to masses of devices, to streaming music. In 2018, as earbuds and headphones get more technically capable, Bluetooth is going to have to work even harder to keep up. Qualcomm knows this, and the company is making things easier with a brand-new chip. The name — QCC5100 Series Bluetooth System-on-a-chip (SoC) — isn’t catchy, but you’re going to want to see it listed as a specification on any connected product you buy this year and onwards.

We sat down with Qualcomm to discover why the new Bluetooth chip is so exciting, and got a comprehensive overview of something that has been worked on for at least two years; You’ll never actually see this chip, so let’s first dive into the products Qualcomm has designed the new chip for, and its varied uses. Although we’re not fans of the word “hearables,” it does describe products that will really be enabled by the QCC5100. For example, true wireless in-ear earbuds with fitness tracking and always-on voice control, fast switching between audio and calls, active noise cancellation, hi-res streaming audio, and more. All possible with a battery life that’s not measured in minutes.

“In hearables, people want these features,” a spokesperson for Qualcomm told Digital Trends. “The QCC5100 moves the game forward.”

3 times the performance

The new chip has been designed entirely from the ground up, with no compromise in performance. Improvements come from a quad-core CPU, two 120Mhz digital sound processors (DSP), and two dedicated 80Mhz app processors. To understand what that means, Qualcomm revealed that the chips it effectively replaces had a single-core CPU and a single DSP. It has three times the performance of any other product available today, and twice the processing capacity.

“In hearables, people want these features. The QCC5100 moves the game forward.”

Built around Bluetooth 5, the chip is backwards compatible with older Bluetooth versions, and with all mobile chipsets out there, not just Qualcomm’s Snapdragon series. Does all this functionality mean the new Bluetooth chip is a power-muncher? No, the power consumption of the new chip has been slashed by a massive 65 percent. It’s really tiny too, with DACs, audio codecs, and even battery charging all integrated into the chip itself. That means it fits into tiny, discrete in-ear headphones and incorporates all desirable new features.

What kinds of features? Everything we mentioned earlier, and due to the quad-core architecture, more features can run at the same time. Active and effective noise cancellation using multiple microphones, AptX and AptX HD audio streaming, as well as sensors for tracking movement and fitness levels. Plus, and perhaps most importantly, always-on voice control and artificial intelligence that operates even when streaming audio. The microphones and voice user interface-specific hardware allows something called “barge-in,” where the device will recognize the wake word even when music is playing. The new chip’s connection system has been upgraded to strengthen the link between both earbuds in true wireless devices, and to the phone itself.

That’s an earbud that responds instantly to your voice, tracks your fitness when out running, streams hi-res audio, and cancels out noise when you want it to. At the same time, with a stronger connection to your phone. The QCC5100 will push development of brand new devices with features that were previously impossible to integrate and use together. But we know what you’re thinking: Battery life is done for, right?

Improved battery life

Qualcomm was prepared for this and has run many tests to establish just how much the QCC5100 improves battery life. Yes, we said improved. Qualcomm created two scenarios — the music listener and the mobile caller. In the first instance, a QCC5100-equipped device should return four hours of music playback, an hour of calls, and 1.5 hours of standby. That’s 25 percent more than average now, and an entire week of moderate use is possible using a charging case. Using the same device for three hours of calls will also mean 1.5 hours of music and 1.5 hours of standby. A massive 60 percent increase over current averages.

The team couldn’t believe the excellent battery tests.

Qualcomm’s engineers took us through a quick demonstration of the new chip, which was attached to meters showing current draw down around 5mA, a considerable reduction on the 15mA average it usually sees. One of the engineers told us the team couldn’t believe the excellent battery tests, and were genuinely surprised at the results, to the point where they repeatedly changed meters in case they were faulty. The results never changed.

We also had a demonstration of the QCC5100’s noise cancellation. In a room equipped with speakers simulating aircraft engine sound, the earbuds we used cut out the majority of the drone, way more effectively than we’re used to with noise canceling in-ears. We have high expectations for the finished product.

None of this will make a difference if the device the chipset lives in is poorly designed, so Qualcomm is lending its expertise to manufacturers that request it, and has also built three reference devices to show what’s possible. These are a pair of biometric sports wireless earbuds, wireless occluded earbuds, and Bluetooth sports earbuds connected by a short wire. Beyond that, Qualcomm advises on everything from where to place components for optimum antenna performance inside the device, to external microphone position for the active noise cancellation, and overall layout.

While hearables and other headphone designs are where the QCC1500 will work at its best, and the devices we’ll see it in first, it’s also adaptable to many other connected devices including speakers and soundbars. As voice control becomes more widely used and accepted, these Bluetooth devices will benefit from such a handy integrated chipset.

When will we start to see the first products using the new chip? Qualcomm says it has already got customers lined up, and expects the first products to be on sale by mid-2018.

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This bionic hand has an extra trick up its sleeve — a sense of touch

Bionic hands are all kinds of awesome, particularly when they can help a person with a physical impairment, such as the loss of a hand to amputation, carry out everyday activities again. But while bionic hands may be getting more adept as time goes by, they do have one glaring weakness: no sense of touch. While that might not sound too important for a non-disabled person, it is actually pretty crucial, since the sensory component of touch dictates a lot about how we relate to the world around us.

That’s why a recent project carried out in Rome is so exciting. A partial amputee named Almerina Mascarello, who lost her left hand in an accident nearly a quarter century ago, was given the world’s first bionic hand with a sense of touch that can be worn outside the laboratory. The hand is a collaboration between engineers, neuroscientists, surgeons, and electronics and robotics specialists from Italy, Switzerland, and Germany. Not only is the hand able to detect whether an object is soft or hard when it grasps it, but it can actually convey this information to the user. This is achieved through a computer carried in a rucksack by the wearer that takes information from the hand and then relays it the brain via miniatures electrodes implanted in Mascarello’s upper arm. Using the hand, she was able to recognize the firmness of objects she touched.

“We ‘translate’ the information recorded by the artificial sensors in the hand into stimuli delivered to the nerves,” Silvestro Micera, a professor of Translational Neuroengineering at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne School of Engineering, told Digital Trends. “The information is then understood by the brain, which makes the patient feeling pressure at different fingers.”

Mascarello was selected for the study after expressing her interest and undergoing a medical assessment to gauge her suitability. She was able to keep the hand for a period of six months. “It worked very well with her, she learned to master the technology soon,” Micera continued.

The team has now reclaimed the bionic hand and is working to further develop it, particularly in terms of miniaturizing the components so that it can be commercialized. According to the team involved, Mascarello has already said she hopes to continue using it once the project is completed.

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The coolest VR innovations at CES 2018 so far

Ask anyone what the biggest challenge for VR is in 2018 and you’ll get some variation of the same answer: It’s still waiting to become useful. We have nice headsets, sure, and they’re getting more affordable, and you can get your Windows on in VR now. Even the most stalwart VR fanatics are still trying to find out exactly what to use it for.

No one application will singlehandedly transform VR from novelty to living-room staple, but at CES 2018, we saw a few clever new VR technologies moving us closer to the tipping point.

Vive Pro

What it does: Improves on the original Vive, but maintains backwards compatibility

Believe it or not, it’s been almost two years since the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift made their full, final retail releases! Two years!

It’s time for an update, it Vive is the first out of the gate with its new Vive Pro. The headset increases the pixel count by 78 percent, hitting 2,880 x 1,660. That crams in 615 pixels per inch. HTC says fine text is finally readable, something that just wasn’t possible before.

The Vive Pro also includes built-in headphones with an amplifier, dual microphones, and a redesigned strap that HTC promises will make the headset more comfortable for people with glasses. It’s a big step forward all-around.

Plus, it’s (optionally) wireless. HTC announced a new wireless adapter that works over Intel’s 60GHz WiGig standard. It works with both the Vive Pro and the original Vive. A battery pack is added to the Vive or Vive Pro for wireless use.

There’s no pricing or release date for the Vive Pro yet, but HTC has promised that it’ll be backwards compatible with existing hardware, like the Basestation 1.0. We’re eagerly awaiting more information. This sounds like the headset we’ve been waiting for.

Looxid

What it does: Tracks your eyes and brain in VR

Websites like Digital Trends have a complex set of analytics tools that let us examine everything. We can see statistics on headlines that work, or don’t, in real-time. If you’re not clicking a headline, we can fix it.

Looxid uses eye tracking to apply this insane Type-A level of perfection to virtual reality. As users explore an environment – like a museum – in VR, the headset tracks both your eyes and brain activity, using an imposing set of electrodes embedded in the headband. The eye tracking can tell what you pay attention to, and the electrodes can tell what affect those stimuli have. Are you excited by the statue you’re looking at? Bored? Scared?

By incorporating brain activity, Looxid could help usher in an age of analytics that makes even today’s impressive web analytics look primitive. Remember that Black Mirror episode about a VR simulation that realizes your worst fears? This is a step in that direction, though we hope it’ll be put to less terrifying use.

Meshroom

What it does: Turns CAD drawings into VR prototypes

No matter how vivid your imagination, it’s hard to imagine what something sketched on paper will look like in real life. That’s why manufacturers build prototypes, even at great expense. The rise of 3D printing has helped reduce the cost of this time-consuming process, but there are limits. Try 3D printing a boat or a car. Yea. It’s not simple.

That’s why automakers like Ford began using VR to prototype car designs long before VR was even mainstream. Using physical “bucks” that simulate the interior of a vehicle and VR headsets, designers can preview how changes to the design of a car will affect the way it feels to sit in it. Will dropping the roofline make it harder to see out the back? Are those mirrors far enough forward?

Meshroom brings the benefits of this multimillion dollar setup to smaller makers. Simply upload a CAD drawing, and Meshroom converts it to a one-to-one scale model you can interact with in VR. You can walk around a virtual product to examine it from every angle, move it with controllers, and even skin it with realistic textures that you can customize on the fly, all in VR.

At $2,700 for a one-year license, it’s not cheap, but maybe your next Kickstarter will benefit from a VR prototype before that first botched batch arrives from Shenzhen.

3dRudder

What it does: Lets you navigate VR with your feet

“Room-scale” virtual reality makes moving around as easy as walking, but what happens when you reach the end of your 10’ x 10’ room? And what if you want a sit-down VR experience?

3dRudder is a clever, intuitive way to explore in three dimensions. It’s basically a balance board that works like a joystick for your feet. Roll it forward, and you go forward. Roll it back, and you go back.

The first version of the device has been around for about a year, but a new version shown at CES 2018 introduces “wings” that add yet another degree of freedom. Besides locking your feet to the pad, they serve as additional inputs. Tilting one foot up and one foot down can move you up and down in virtual space, giving you four degrees of freedom.

We gave it a shot in Star Citizen, and it took about three seconds to get used to before we were effortlessly gliding between buildings like a pro. Well, almost. That antenna snuck up on us.

Space sims are an obvious fit for a device like this, but 3dRudder also works with a number of first-person shooters, like Doom VFR and Fallout 4, so you can roam around while keeping both hands free for controllers.

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Lenovo Miix 630 hands-on review

Research Center:
Lenovo Miix 630

Asus and HP were first to announce Qualcomm-powered Always Connected PCs, but there’s a third partner – Lenovo. The company announced its Lenovo Miix 630, a detachable 2-in-1, at CES 2018.

Lenovo has a long history building 2-in-1s. Its Yoga line is the most well-known, but its Miix line has been around for several years, offering a more affordable alternative to devices like the Microsoft Surface Pro. The Miix 630 unsurprisingly takes an even more mobile tack. The screen, which is also a tablet, nestles into a backlit keyboard folio. All the hardware is in the tablet itself, which doesn’t include a stand of its own, but instead relies on the folio for PC use.

Matt Smith/Digital Trends

Matt Smith/Digital Trends

Matt Smith/Digital Trends

Matt Smith/Digital Trends

It’s a design that’s new to Miix, but not unfamiliar. HP’s Envy x2, Samsung’s Galaxy Book 2, and Apple’s iPad Pro are all similar. Keyboard folios can be a bit fussy because they fold in several different ways, and the Miix 630 doesn’t solve that issue. The keyboard and stylus are a standard feature, though, which makes it easier for us to forgive this nitpick.

The entire Miix, keyboard and stylus included, weighs 2.93 pounds, and measures .6 inches thick. This is a more serious issue, because the HP Envy x2 with Qualcomm processor weighs 2.6 pounds overall, and the tablet alone is a mere 1.5 pounds. Lenovo’s Miix 630 is heavier, and felt that way when handled. The all-aluminum chassis also seemed less refined, though on the plus side, it struck us as more robust than the HP’s featherweight body.

Qualcomm’s power-sipping chip helps the small 2-in-1 manage up to 20 hours of battery life.

We saw more similarities to the HP when we handled the stylus. It’s a chunky, fat unit that’s easy to handle, and it attaches to the keyboard folio by sliding through a fabric loop. All of that’s equally true of the HP. We’re not sure we could tell the difference between the two if we weren’t told beforehand. Does that matter? Likely not. The Miix’s stylus isn’t as refined as the Surface Pen, but it felt quick and precise when we used it. That’s what’s important.

The screen is a 12.3-inch, 1920 x 1280 panel. That matches the HP Envy x2, and it provided a sharp image during our use. We also thought its colors and contrast looked good. Glare is an issue, but the screen is bright enough to mostly combat it.

Another key feature is the front-facing camera with IR support, which lets you log in to Windows 10 with your face. We love this feature, which is usually found on more expensive laptops. It’s good to find it on a relatively entry-level 2-in-1.

Fast? Fast enough

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor inside the Lenovo Miix 630 isn’t new, but it’s new to PCs, and a lot of people are curious if it’ll provide enough grunt. We haven’t had a chance to fully test the chip yet – no one has, because we’re a few months away from any hitting stores – but we’ve gone hands-on with every Qualcomm-powered Windows device announced so far.

Matt Smith/Digital Trends

Our verdict? It’s good enough. The performance gap is detectable if you’re picky. Apps can take an extra second to load, and animations aren’t always as smooth as they could be. It’s far from a bad experience, though, and not any different from an entry-level laptop. The Qualcomm processor is paired with 4GB or 8GB or RAM, and 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB of solid state storage. Overall, we think the Miix 630’s performance should satisfy most people.

Keyboard folios can be a bit fussy, and the Miix 630 doesn’t solve that issue.

There’s something else that’ll satisfy more than most people – battery life. Qualcomm’s power-sipping chip helps the small 2-in-1 manage up to 20 hours of battery life, and weeks of standby time. This is exactly on par with the HP Envy x2, so the Miix 630 isn’t outrunning its most direct competitor. Still, it’ll last a lot longer than any current Windows 2-in-1.

Using a Qualcomm chip also means LTE mobile data comes standard. We didn’t get a chance to test that out, but Lenovo says the Miix 630 includes support for both a standard SIM card or eSIM. When enabled, you should have access to mobile data anywhere in your carrier’s coverage.

What about the price?

The Miix 630 will be available in the second quarter of 2018 for $800. HP actually hasn’t revealed pricing on its HP Envy x2 with Qualcomm processor, but Asus’ NovaGo will also retail for $800.

Lenovo Miix 630 Compared To

Dell XPS 13 (Kaby Lake)

Acer Swift 3 SF314-52-517Z

Microsoft Surface Book 2

Google Pixelbook

Asus VivoBook Pro 15 N580VD

HP ZBook 14u G4

Microsoft Surface Laptop

Asus ZenBook UX305

Toshiba Kirabook (2014)

Asus Zenbook UX301LA

HP Envy x2

Sony Vaio S Premium 13.3-inch

Asus U36Jc

Sharp M4000

Toshiba Dynabook SX

We think the fate of Lenovo’s Always Connected PC will hinge on the price of the HP. We prefer the Envy x2’s look, feel, and lower weight, but HP has hinted it’ll charge more for its luxury feel. That might give the Miix 630 room to stand out as a budget option for early adopters of Always Connected PCs.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga 3rd-gen hands-on review

Research Center:
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga 3rd-gen

There are a lot of 2-in-1s available today, but if you’re looking for something durable and fast, the Lenovo X1 Yoga stands out. Lenovo is launching the third generation at CES 2018. Though not a major change from past models, the X1 Yoga 3rd-gen adds a few intriguing features.

The headliner is undoubtedly the 14-inch Dolby Vision HDR touchscreen. With a maximum brightness of 500 nits and 2,560 x 1,440 resolution, it’s a looker, particularly when fed high-quality HDR content. This is the first HDR display to appear on a ThinkPad, and is meant as a replacement for the OLED screen, which is being discontinued.

With a brightness of 500 nits and 2,560 x 1,440 resolution, the Dolby Vision HDR screen is a looker.

We’ll be sad to see the OLED go. It was gorgeous and, to be honest, the HDR screen doesn’t quite measure up – though it does look excellent in its own way. The OLED’s demise is due to its power drain, which sucked down the battery quick. Lenovo thinks the HDR screen is a better balance between visual punch and endurance.

Lenovo has also added a physical privacy shutter to its camera, a handy security feature that the company seems to be adding to many of its device – and not necessarily just laptops.

Like past X1 Yoga models, the 3rd-gen includes a built-in stylus that tucks into the 2-in-1 when it’s not in use. It’s small, which might make it uncomfortable for long stretches, but at least you won’t lose it. This remains an uncommon feature, though Samsung’s Notebook 9 Pen will give it competition.

3rd-gen updates to 8th-gen

As you’d expect, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga 3rd-gen includes Intel’s 8th-generation Core processors, up to the Core i7. That’s paired with up to 16GB of memory, up to 1TB of PCI Express solid-state storage, and Intel UHD 620 graphics. Battery life is quoted at 15 hours. This is all top-tier hardware, but we’d expect no less from a premium 2-in-1.

Matt Smith/Digital Trends

Matt Smith/Digital Trends

Matt Smith/Digital Trends

Matt Smith/Digital Trends

What hasn’t changed – much – are the laptop’s overall dimensions. Lenovo says the chassis isn’t identical to the second generation, but its specifications are very similar. It weighs 3.09 pounds, which is a slight gain from the 2nd-gen’s 2.8 pounds. The new X1 has slimmed down a bit, though, from .66 to .6 inches. Differences this small will be hard to notice even if you use a 2nd-gen and 3rd-gen model side by side.

Luckily, the X1 Yoga’s best traits remain intact. The keyboard is still one of the best you’ll find on any 2-in-1, the touchpad is responsive, and the iconic TrackPoint is still nestled in the middle of the keys.

We’re also a fan of the X1 Yoga’s sturdy build quality. While it’s light, it also feels stiff and rugged. It’s the kind of device you can literally throw in a backpack without (much) worry it’ll break. Despite the lack of diet, the Lenovo X1 Yoga still feels light in your hand. Three pounds isn’t extremely light for a 2-in-1, but remember – the X1 Yoga has a 14-inch screen, which is larger than most of its competitors.

Lenovo asks at least $1,889 for the X1 Yoga. That’s a lot of money. The ThinkPad X1 Yoga targets users that demand a lot from their hardware, and our willing to spend a lot, too. Most people will be better off with a mainstream 2-in-1, like the HP Spectre x360, Lenovo Yoga 920, or perhaps even the new Samsung Notebook 9 Pen – depending on its price, which is still unknown. If you want a road warrior, however, the Yoga X1 is hard to beat.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga 3rd-gen Compared To

Samsung Notebook 9 Pen

Asus Zenbook 3 Deluxe…

Acer Switch 3

Samsung Galaxy Book

Samsung Chromebook Pro

Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA

Acer Spin 7

Lenovo Yoga Book

Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro

Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro

Dell XPS 12 (2013)

Lenovo ThinkPad Helix

Sony Vaio T14 Touch

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Touch

Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13

Lenovo has its own Qualcomm-powered 2-in-1, claims 20 hours of battery life

Lenovo pulled back the curtain on the Miix 630, a 2-in-1 PC powered by a Qualcomm chip rather than a traditional Intel CPU, at CES 2018 today.

Lenovo is just the latest manufacturer to join in on the new “Always Connected PC” type of computers, which feature LTE connectivity and 20-plus hours of battery life. The Miix 630 falls in with Lenovo’s line of other 2-in-1 Windows PCs that feature a detachable keyboard, including the Surface Pro, for example.

Key Specs

Qualcomm Snapdragon 835

Integrated Adreno 540

12.3-inch 1920 x 1280 display

Built-in LTE connectivity

0.6 inches thin, 2.9 pounds (with keyboard)

20 hours of video playback battery life

Runs Windows 10 S

Starts at $800

What sets it apart from Lenovo’s other 2-in-1 PCs is, of course, the Snapdragon 835. While you might not get the best performance out of it, the Qualcomm CPU does offer a huge benefit — a claimed 20 hours of battery life. That’s a solid 12 hours more than the Lenovo’s Miix 720, a more expensive 2-in-1 with an Intel processor.

The Miix 630 is also the latest 2-in-1 to come with Windows 10 S installed. Previously only featured on the Surface Laptop, Windows 10 S is a slightly pared-down version of Windows 10 Home. The only significant difference is that with Windows 10 S, you can only install applications from the Microsoft Store. Lenovo is, however, offering a free upgrade to Windows 10 Pro for those who want to unshackle their PCs.

The Miix 630 comes with memory options of either 4GB or 8GB and storage options of either 128GB of 256GB. Other features include a backlit keyboard, an included stylus with 1,024 levels of sensitivity, and a 13MP, auto-focusing IR camera on the back.

At $800, the Miix 630 lands somewhere between the other two Always Connected PCs out there: The $600 Asus NovaGo and the expensive (though currently unpriced) HP Envy X2. Lenovo’s entry fills out the gamut of pricepoints for these Qualcomm-powered PCs.

Although the Miix 630 will be compatible with select local carriers, we still don’t know how much it will cost to add these devices to current data plans. The Miix 630 will be available sometime during the second quarter of 2018.

Lenovo revs up the ThinkPad X1 line with Intel 8th-gen, HDR displays, and Alexa

Lenovo’s ThinkPad line remains one of the most iconic family of notebooks, with a recognizable design and a penchant for quality. The company already introduced its ThinkPad T, L, and X updates for 2018, and now it’s time to see what’s new in the premium ThinkPad X1 lineup. The X1 Carbon, X1 Yoga, and X1 Tablet are all newly updated, and Lenovo has also introduced a new ThinkVision X1 display to go along with them.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (6th gen)

Key Specs

Up to Intel eighth-generation Core i7

Intel UHD Graphics 620

Up to 16GB RAM, up to 1TB PCIe SSD

Battery life up to 15 hours

Optional 14-inch WQHD (2,560 x 1,440) display with Dolby Vision HDR

Starting at 2.49 pounds

12.7 x 8.54 x 0.62 inches

2 x USB-A 3.0, 2 x USB-C with Thunderbolt 3, 1 x HDMI, microSD card reader, nanoSIM slot

First up is the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, a premium clamshell notebook that retains its basic styling for the sixth generation. That means it’s a thin and light chassis built with carbon fiber and engineered to meet the MIL-STD 810G standard for durability and protection from the environment.

What is new this time around is a host of features and upgrades that offer significantly improved performance and functionality. Everything starts with a transition to Intel’s newest quad-core eighth-generation Core processors up to the Core i7, mated with up to 16GB of RAM and up to a 1TB PCIe solid-state drive (SSD). Lenovo promises up to 15 hours of battery life.

The display remains at 14 inches, but it received some significant upgrades. First, resolution in the high-end configuration runs at WQHD (2,560 x 1,440 or 203 PPI) and adds Dolby Vision high dynamic range (HDR) support for dynamic colors. Brightness has also been cranked up to 500 nits. The Full HD (1,920 x 1,080 or 157 PPI) resolution display option now offers a touchscreen without adding weight or thickness.

In terms of security, Lenovo built in a new ThinkShutter Camera Privacy feature that lets users close off the webcam to avoid privacy concerns. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon retains its fingerprint scanner for Windows Hello password-less authentication and adds in facial recognition support via infrared camera.

Connectivity has also been enhanced, with a new USB-C mechanical side docking port, which adds to the already extensive connectivity options including dual USB-A 3.0 ports, two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 3, a full-size HDMI port, and a microSD card reader. An available Global LTE-A wireless option provides truly portable connectivity.

Finally, input has been expanded with 360-degree far-field communication microphones for Wake on Voice, voice control, and web calls. Glance eye tracking support allows for enhanced navigation with multi-monitor configurations. Lenovo has also integrated Amazon Alexa to allow for hands-free access to music, news, smart home controls, and all of the greater than 15,000 Alexa skills.

The ThinkPad X1 Carbon starts at $1,710 and is available in January.

Lenovo Miix 630 vs HP Envy x2: Qualcomm-powered Windows tablets face off

One of the more important developments as 2017 drew to a close was the official announcement of Windows 10 PCs based on Qualcomm processors, rather than the traditional x86 processors. That was a blow to both Intel and AMD, and a boon to Qualcomm, whose Snapdragon 835 is the first ARM processor to power third-party systems supporting Windows 10 S.

HP was one of the first OEMs to announce an ARM-powered Windows 10 detachable tablet just last month, the Envy X2, and now Lenovo has leveraged CES 2018 to announce its own version, the Miix 630. Let’s take a look at the Lenovo Miix 630 vs HP Envy x2 to see which is better equipped to take the lead.

Specifications

 Lenovo Miix 630

 HP Envy x2

Dimensions
11.5 x 8.2 x 0.6 inches tablet and keyboard
Complete dimensions unknown, tablet-only 0.27 inches
Weight
2.93 pounds tablet and keyboard
1.54 pounds tablet-only
2.66 pounds tablet and keyboard
Keyboard
Full-size backlit detachable keyboard
Full-size backlit detachable keyboard
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
RAM
4GB or 8GB of RAM
4GB or 8GB of RAM
Graphics
Adreno 540
Adreno 540
Display
12.3-inch IPS
12.3-inch IPS
Resolution
WXUGA+ (1,920 x 1,280)
WXUGA+ (1,920 x 1,280)
Storage
Up to 256GB UFS
Up to 256GBG UFS
Networking
802.11ac, Bluetooth, LTE
802.11ac, Bluetooth, LTE
Connectivity
1 x USB-C 3.1, SD card reader, nanoSIM, 3.5mm combo audio jack
1 x USB-C 3.1, microSD card reader, nanoSIM, 3.5mm combo audio jack
Windows Hello
Infrared facial recognition
Infrared facial recognition
Operating System
Windows 10 S
Windows 10 S
Battery
20+ hours
20+ hours
Price
Starting at $800
TBD
Availability
March/April 2018
March/April 2018
Review
Hands-on
Hands-on

Design

Lenovo’s Miix 630 follows the same basic design cues of its Miix series of detachable tablets. That means it offers some angular lines with a sleek black aesthetic that looks both modern and conservative. Relatively thick bezels surround the 12.3-inch display, and the detachable keyboard serves as both an input accessory supporting multiple typing angles and a convenient wrap-around case. In our hands-on testing, we found the build to be robust.

Matt Smith/Digital Trends

HP’s Envy x2 boasts rounder corners and a silver aluminum chassis that gives it a design aesthetic that stands out a bit more within HP’s lineup, while more closely following generic tablet design. The Envy x2 also sports relatively large bezels along the sides of its 12.3-inch display, and its detachable keyboard supports multiple typing angles and provides full-body protection. The blue leather keyboard also has attractive chrome trim, that adds a bit of flair.

Matt Smith/Digital Trends

Both tablets seem well-built, and while they take different aesthetic directions they’re both nice to look at. We give the HP Envy x2 slightly higher marks for some extra design touches that set it apart and give it an extra bit of elegance — in fact, in our initial hands-on review, we called it the “most handsome Windows 10 detachable we’ve ever laid hands on.” That’s enough for HP to take this round.

Winner: HP Envy x2

Performance

Simply put, both the Lenovo Miix 630 and the HP Envy x2 should perform equally well — if not identically. They’re powered by the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 CPU with integrated Adreno 540 GPU, they both can be configured with 4GB or 8GB of RAM, and they both offer up to 256GB of Universal Flash Storage (UFS). They’re both fanless, and even their displays support exactly the same WUXGA+ (1,920 x 1,280 or 187 PPI) resolution. There’s just nothing to differentiate their likely performance.

We’ll note that according to early reports, the performance of this first slate of ARM-based Windows 10 PCs is underwhelming. Of course, we’ll reserve judgment until we can run our own suite of benchmarks. In the meantime, however well the combination of Snapdragon 835 and the highly-optimized Windows 10 S version performs, these two machines will likely be largely indistinguishable.

Winner: Tie

Keyboard, Mouse, and Pen

The Lenovo Miix 630 offers a detachable keyboard that utilizes the same general keyboard mechanism and layout as Lenovo’s premium notebooks outside of the ThinkPad line. That promises a solid typing experience with decent travel and good feedback. The keyboard sports a kickstand that folds down at the centerline of the tablet’s back, just like so many other modern tablets, with magnets holding the keyboard in place for multiple typing angles.

There’s the usual touchpad in the center of the keyboard deck, which presumably supports the range of Windows 10 gestures, and the included Lenovo Pen supports Windows 10 Ink for handwriting and drawing. Finally, an infrared camera supports Windows 10 Hello password-less login via facial recognition.

Matt Smith/Digital Trends

Similarly, the HP Envy x2 also offers a detachable keyboard with a kickstand and magnets that allow for flexibility in typing angles. In our hands-on testing, we found the keyboard comfortable and precise with its 1.3mm of travel, but not quite the equal of Microsoft’s Surface Pro Type Cover.

We found the large touchpad to provide responsive multi-gesture support, and HP also includes an active pen for Windows 10 Inking. As with the Miix 630, the Envy x2 uses an infrared camera and facial recognition for Windows 10 Hello.

Matt Smith/Digital Trends

Once again, the two machines are very closely matched. Without putting both machines through their paces, we have no reason to designate a winner in this category.

Winner: Tie

Connectivity

The Lenovo Miix 630 offers a single USB-C 3.1 port to go with an SD card reader, a nanoSIM slot, and a 3.5mm audio combo port. Wireless connectivity is provided by 2×2 MU-MIMO 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, and Qualcomm LTE for always-connected Internet access.

As is becoming a theme in this comparison, the HP Envy x2’s connectivity is identical. There’s a single USB-C 3.1 port, a microSD card reader, and an LTE nanoSIM port to go with the 3.5mm audio jack.

Once again, there’s little to distinguish these two systems.

Winner: Tie

Display

Both the Lenovo Miix 630 and the HP Envy x2 offer 12.3-inch WXUGA+ (1,920 x 1,280) displays with the 3:2 aspect ratio that makes for a more comfortable portable inking experience. We got a chance to take a look at both displays and found them bright enough to mostly overcome ambient lighting and to offer solid colors and a good viewing experience.

Without subjecting the displays to a colorimeter, we’re unable to give one higher marks than the other. Suffice it to say that most users should find each machine to provide a very good tablet viewing experience.

Winner: Tie

Portability and Battery Life

The Lenovo Miix 630 is a relatively thin and light detachable tablet, coming in at 0.6 inches and weighing 2.93 pounds with the keyboard attached (we don’t know how much the tablet weighs by itself). The HP Envy x2 is even lighter at 2.66 pounds for the tablet and keyboard (we’re not sure of the total thickness).

As we held each tablet, we definitely found the HP Envy x2 to be the more portable option, both with and without the keyboard attached. That’s not to say the Lenovo Miix 630 felt overly large, but when you’re looking for the most portable machine, every ounce counts.

In terms of battery life, this is another area where the first round of ARM-based PCs should be fairly equal. Without running them through our suite of battery tests, all we have to go with is the each manufacturer’s promise of 20+ hours of longevity. And that sounds awesome to us.

Winner: HP Envy x2

Availability and Price

Lenovo is offering the Miix 630 with a starting price of $800 including the keyboard and pen, with availability starting in March or April 2018. HP will also make the Envy x2 available starting around March 2018, but it hasn’t yet released pricing. We imagine it will be similarly priced, but in the meantime, we can’t assign a winner.

Winner: Unknown

Conclusion

We’re anxious to get our hands on this first wave of ARM-based Windows 10 PCs. Once we can run them through their paces, we’ll be able to pass judgment on the platform’s performance and determine if the initial promises of highly portable, always-connected network access hold true.

In the meantime, we’re going to give the HP Envy x2 the slightest of victories in this comparison with the Lenovo Miix 630. We found the Envy x2 to be a more elegant and attractive detachable notebook.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Lenovo has its own Qualcomm-powered 2-in-1, claims 20 hours of battery life
• Lenovo Miix 630 hands-on review
• HP’s Envy x2 claims longest battery life of any detachable Windows PC
• Super-efficient Windows laptops powered by Qualcomm phone chips are here
• HP Envy x2 (2017) hands-on review

The first baby monitor with Alexa is coming in February for $229

Introducing the smart nursery.

After debuting on the Amazon Echo in 2014, Alexa has expanded to a wide array of products to serve you in just about any way possible. Amazon recently announced new tools to expand Alexa’s usefulness in the kitchen and for making it available on more wearable tech, and now thanks to Project Nursery, Alexa will be able to help you take care of your little one.

At CES 2018, Project Nursery announced the world’s first baby monitor with Alexa built-in. The company’s Smart Baby Monitor System comes with an HD Wi-Fi camera and separate Alexa speaker, and the whole package will cost $229 when it launches in February. With this, you’ll be able to issue commands like “Alexa, play a lullaby”, “record a video”, etc.

In addition to the 10,000+ general Alexa skills that you’ll be able to use, Project Nursery says there are 70 skills specifically for watching over your baby.

Per Melissa Fluhr, Co-Founder of Project Nursery:

New parents are generally exhausted and have their hands full 24/7. Project Nursery’s smart baby products give parents more freedom and flexibility as our homes become more connected than ever.

In addition to the main Smart Baby Monitor System, Project Nursery will also be selling the HD Smart Wi-Fi Baby Monitor Camera on its own for $149 for those that already own an Alexa speaker. Additionally, customers will also be able to buy the Smart Sound Soother in April for $69.

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